This fresh side salad recipe, perfect for a potluck or cookout, uses lots of basil. Make it when basil is in full supply, in the garden or at the market, during the height of summer.
'A co-worker who was born in Cuba helped me perfect the recipe for this hearty dish,' reports Helen Simms of Lyons, Michigan. 'Now it's one of our family's favorites. It's also a great way to use up leftover holiday ham.'
'This recipe is constantly requested by family and friends,' writes Janis Murphy of Redondo Beach, California. 'Feel free to substitute other berries,' she adds.
This recipe, from Charlotte Skelton's book Absolutely a la Carte (A la Carte Alley, $22.95), is named after a community north of Biloxi. When pressed for time, try the Kitchen Express method below.
This is the perfect comfort food for cold days. To make it vegan, substitute non-dairy ingredients for dairy. Leftover filling makes a great lunch! If you want to make mashed potatoes from scratch, you will want at least 4 cups when you are through.
